xbox PC hybrid

[Circlebreaker]

I just read this over at CNN/Money:

NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - Two months ago, Microsoft spoke glowingly of bridging the gap between the PC and Xbox. Now the company is considering erasing that gap completely.

While Microsoft has publicly avoided discussing its next generation machine, it has been quietly conducting studies on the consumer appeal of a hybrid device that would play both PC and Xbox games.

"We would be remiss if we didn't look at consumer scenarios that take advantage of our strengths," said Peter Moore, corporate vice president of worldwide marketing and publishing for Microsoft's home and entertainment division. "[But] this is one amongst many, many other consumer scenarios that we're looking at."


Here (http://money.cnn.com/2004/05/26/commentary/game_over/column_gaming/index.htm)'s the full article. What are your thoughts on this, something you would consider buying, or just another gadget doomed for failure.

[DanTheManPR]

It would sure put infinium labs out of buissness.

[0x64657200 0x6A61636B616C00]

It would sure put infinium labs out of buissness.

Like they need help doing that.

I never liked the concept of the xbox+pc set up, it's really not bridging the gap, it's just making a console which plays PC games....hey, isn't that the converse of the xbox? /sarcasm

[Mr. Natural]

If it was upgradable I would definitely be interested in seeing what was put together.

[Cronus]

If it was upgradable I would definitely be interested in seeing what was put together.

It's called a pc with an Xbox emulator...

:rolleyes:

[Terry Penrod]

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Yeah but at least it's closer to a good, overall, mainstream game solution for many more people who enjoy both styles of gaming but simply do not want to invest a lot of time, money and effort on a full-blown PC rig. It would also further simplify the whole process from end-to-end for developers, publishers and testers as well as retailers, so that they could offer even more options to consumers with a single system instead of two or more.

Would there still be shortcomings and limitations? Yep, but they would be fewer and it would address a sticky little problem for MS in marketing titles for both Windows based PCs and their proprietary Xbox, as they already share so many core components for both hardware and software.

If done right, it might even appeal to hard core PC gamers like me who occassionally see an exclusive console title that looks fun... but not quite fun enough to justify buying a special system to play. I happen to prefer PC style games, controllers, save features, etc. But coming up soon is Fable and there are some other video games that look promising. So if I could buy a single box to play them all RIGHT NOW as well as some PC games, I might reconsider the whole thing.

Then again, like most of us here, I will still need a good PC for everything else and that includes high-end graphic work. So as long as they keep making my kind of PC games, I will happily play them on their native system. But I also wouldn't mind a little LAN party action on the coach with a few buds once in awhile or playing something like Fable SP from the same viewpoint.

Cheers, Terry

P.S. This kind of hybrid system might also help integrate more online players from all walks of life - which in itself would be a positive thing for the industry and the general gaming public at large.

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[Ravanor]

A $600 PC don't know about that. Of course I'm not interested in XBox games anyway. :P

[Rob]

Remember the last $600 system, the 3DO? That did not last long. I am sure Microsoft has done enough market studies to realize this would not work as their next system... however, what I see this going towards is an 'upgraded' XBox Next. Much in the same way as the PSX system is to the Playstation 2.

It is no secret that what we will be looking at very shortly is the much talked about set top box, and yes, that is something I could be interested in.

Lets see, a $600 system that is a base for a home theater (HDTV required) and surround sound outputs. Sounds good so far. Harddrive for Tivo function. Awesome. DVD player, maybe not the high end, but progressive scan and better then the $100 Wal-mart players flying off the shelves. Built in XBox Live, definitely awesome. Plays XBox and NextBox games, good good. Plays PC games. There has been a lot of talk about Alienware and Apex releasing new PC’s that act as a console which sounds promising.

All in all, I can see this as a very good option if done right. Microsoft has the money. They have the desire to make a good new system. It is definitely a 100 times more believable then the Phantom (appropriate name by the way).

I will take the wait and see approach, especially since this is all speculation anyway. But I am the type of person who likes the all in one machines, I have enough remotes now as it is. :)

[Terry Penrod]

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As an avid PC gamer who also needs a high-end graphics machine for work, I already have all the features and power I need in a single box. But still there are hassles to PC gaming and they are not nearly as good for certain types of quick, easy social gaming as video consoles are. So I can easily see spending $600 on a separate all-in-one digital home entertainment system that could alternately play games on either a HDTV or a good PC monitor as well as act as a TIVO, movie and music center. That is a lot of useful functionality in one system IF it does everything well enough, has all the options I want and IF the selection of game titles in EVERY style and genre are wide enough.

On top of all those nice choices, and since I'll always have a solid work station with a super GPU, etc., then I'll also have the ability to switch to it for any future, leading edge PC-oriented games. To me, that would be the very best of all worlds for solo gaming, MP online, LAN parties, work and personal stuff, along with all other forms of home entertainment and webcentric activites.

So, here's the scenario I see if a hybrid like this ever does get launched and properly supported...

Around every 3 to 5 years, I'll just plan to buy the next gen all-in-one home entertainment center plus do my regular PC upgrades as needed. No big deal really and the small extra cost spread-out over that period of time, weighed against reduced hassles, saved time and expanded fun would be well worth it.

Cheers, Terry

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[DanTheManPR]

I hope they will take advantage of HDTV tech. low-rez console games give me a headache.

[Terry Penrod]

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According to the article, the speculative new hybrid gaming system currently under study by Microsoft would support both HDTV and PC monitors. The Xbox always has supported HDTV and any system designed to also play PC titles would need to be able to us a monitor, so this makes sense. They article also states that a keyboard, mouse and Xbox-type controller would all come standard so you could easily switch back and forth from regular PC controls to video console controls using whatever display screen you like. You would also be able to use the system to watch DVD movies, record / edit / playback TV shows like a TIVO unit and use it as a digital surround sound music system. Plus, with a fully operational Windows OS and web browser, along with an ethernet card, HD, etc. you could surf the net, download demos, etc., post on game forums, exchange e-mails / PMs and play online through either Xbox Live or on independent Windows based PC servers.

Cheers, Terry

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[Drewby]

Looking good. I wonder what kind of specs it will have to be able to run the latest PC games. If it is reasonalbly fast, then it wouldn't be a bad buy a $600.